PF’s fortunes in W/Province rise

PF’s fortunes in W/Province rise
By Roy Habaalu
Mon 11 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT

AN MMD councillor in Mongu says PF has emerged stronger and continues to gain support in Western Province after the collapse of the PF-UPND pact. Mwenda Lishebo, who is MMD Mulambwa ward councillor, yesterday said that UPND members and supporters had continued joining PF because their party and president didn’t consult them before pulling out of the pact.

He said the refusal by the UPND leadership to embrace Professor Clive Chirwa’s proposals was fatal.

“The situation on the ground here is that PF has not only gained ground, it continues to gain massive support. That’s why people are joining PF en mass. UPND is no longer the same, it has been swallowed by the PF’s popularity,” councillor Lishebo said.

“Professor Chirwa’s proposals were excellent, it was a perfect bonanza going by the numbers PF has on the ground. In fact, it was a favour for UPND to be given that proportion he (Chirwa) gave them.

“I have not seen any PF member joining UPND as a result of the collapse of the pact but I have seen a lot of UPND members joining PF and that speaks volumes. I have also not seen anyone joining my party (MMD).”

Councillor Lishebo said Sata had been endorsed as the preferred choice for Western Province in this year’s elections. He said people felt he had been consistent on the Barotseland issue and his past was immaterial.

“Let it be known that I am speaking for myself and I don’t need permission from anyone. I don’t need to consult anybody when I am speaking because the Constitution under Article 11 protects me,” he said.

“People are saying Sata is a hard worker and implements programmes. He won’t allow looting of public resources especially in the councils. People want a pragmatic and active person and Sata has what it takes.”

Councillor Lishebo said MMD officials were cheating President Rupiah Banda by telling him that all was well for the party in Western Province. He said Col Panji Kaunda’s observations that President Banda was being misled should not be taken lightly.

“MMD supporters and members are ashamed of wearing party attire here in Mongu. When they go for meetings they hide their chitenges in handbags,” said councillor Lishebo.

Councillor Lishebo is facing disciplinary action from the MMD leadership in Mongu for agreeing with Bishop Paul Duffy's recent observation that the MMD is finished in Western Province and people are ready for change.